Review of Redbelt (2008) by Terri H — 25 Mar 2009

Marvellous little movie written and directed by David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross) about a Jiu-jitsu instuctor who attempts to maintain his honour after a series of unfortunate incidents force him to the brink of financial ruin. Redbelt is on the face of it a martial arts movie; but unlike most martial arts movies the focus of the drama is less on the combat itself, and very much more on the codes of behaviour and standards of morality that are practiced by the master in the face of adversity.

Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a man of the highest principles who runs a dojo teaching Jiu-jitsu to whoever wants to learn. As he is an extremely good and selfless person he does not believe in the idea of making money from his art and so operates his business for minimal profit, much to the dismay of his Brazillian wife. One night a distressed young woman crashes into his parked car outside and then proceeds to accidently shoot out one of the windows of his dojo with the gun of a police officer whom is one of his students. Without the money to replace the window (or indeed cover the bills for martial arts equipment), Terry has to work a way to make more without compromising his ideals.

Fate conspires to cause Terry more financial woes and he realises that he may well have to do the one thing that he has never done before; compete in a televised tournament for a substantial cash prize. This is not an option he wants to pursue as he believes that such competition is invariably fixed and will "weaken the spirit of the warrior".

Redbelt is a beautifully acted and well shot film that will appeal to anyone who believes in fair play and decency and likes the idea of a protagonist who embodies ideals of nobility and honour that are positive aspects of humanity. Essentially, it is not a film about martial arts but more one about the potential strength of human character and how that can inspire others to better themselves. There just happens to be some rather well choreographed Jiu-jitsu fights in there as well. A highly satisfying movie with quite the feelgood conclusion in my opinion. One to watch.